Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has opened up about his time in Kamiti Maximum Prison, describing it as a harsh and dehumanizing experience.
He says that life behind bars is not only difficult but also filled with corruption, where survival depends on resilience and, in some cases, bribes to prison officials.
His account paints a grim picture of the conditions in one of Kenya’s most notorious prisons, highlighting the suffering that many inmates endure daily.
According to Waititu, Kamiti is overcrowded, with prisoners struggling to access basic necessities. He claims that inmates are treated with no dignity and that prison officers control every aspect of their lives.
He says the environment is isolating, and prisoners are forced to endure extreme loneliness. He compares his time in prison to that of a dog, saying he was subjected to forced labor and constant mistreatment.
The lack of freedom, he insists, is unbearable, making each day a struggle for those behind bars.Waititu also alleges that corruption is rampant in Kamiti, with officials demanding huge sums of money from inmates in exchange for better treatment.
He claims that those who can afford bribes receive privileges such as better food and lighter work assignments. Meanwhile, those who cannot pay are left to suffer under harsh conditions.
This, he says, creates a system where money determines who gets humane treatment and who is left to endure the worst of prison life. He argues that this corruption only worsens the suffering of prisoners, making life in Kamiti a nightmare for those without financial means.
The former governor’s experience in prison is a stark contrast to his previous life as a powerful politician. He now finds himself on the other side of the justice system, facing the same struggles as ordinary prisoners.
He says that his time behind bars has exposed him to a level of suffering he never imagined. The long days, the poor living conditions, and the feeling of being completely powerless have made his time in Kamiti one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Waititu’s revelations raise serious questions about the state of Kenya’s prison system. If a former governor, once a man of influence, can face such conditions, it raises concerns about the treatment of ordinary prisoners who have no voice or resources to fight for their rights.
His account sheds light on the realities of incarceration in Kenya, where overcrowding, mistreatment, and corruption seem to define life behind bars.
His experience serves as a reminder of the urgent need for reforms in the prison system to ensure that all inmates, regardless of their status, are treated with dignity and fairness.
Leave feedback about this